A delegation of the Himachal Pradesh Pensioner’s Joint Action Committee, headed by its president Suresh Thakur, met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla on Wednesday and submitted a charter of demands concerning pensioners’ welfare.
The Chief Minister assured the delegation that the government would sympathetically examine their genuine demands. He reiterated that pensioners and employees have played a vital role in the development of the state and their welfare remains a priority for the government.
Sukhu said directions had been issued to all Heads of Departments to clear pending arrears of Class-IV pensioners within four days. He added that medical reimbursement claims of pensioners and employees would also be settled within the same timeframe.
Highlighting the state government’s stand on pensions, the Chief Minister said the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) was restored during the first Cabinet meeting of the present government despite pressure from the Centre to adopt the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). He asserted that Himachal Pradesh would continue implementing OPS under all circumstances.
The Chief Minister further claimed that the Union Government had withheld financial assistance amounting to Rs. 1,600 crore meant for OPS implementation. He also stated that the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), which Himachal Pradesh had been receiving since 1952, had caused an annual loss of Rs. 8,000 crore to Rs. 10,000 crore to the state exchequer.
Sukhu said the previous BJP government had received Rs. 54,000 crore under RDG and Rs. 16,000 crore as GST compensation, while the present government had received only Rs. 17,000 crore as RDG. Despite financial challenges, he maintained that the state government remained committed to safeguarding the interests of pensioners and employees.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
